Community Calendar - May 7, 2014

Dinner Theater PlayJefferson Davis Academy's junior class is holding a dinner theater play, "Just Another High School Play", on May 8 at 6 p.m. The cost for dinner and the play is $15 for adults and $10 for students. Tickets are sold in advance only and can be reserved by calling the school office at (803) 284-5149.

Movie in the ParkNew Life Church in partnership with Russell's Pizza will present a Movie in the Park on May 9 at Fuller Park beginning at sundown. The event is free, though refreshments will be available for purchase. Bring chairs and blankets.

‘Annie' PlayCircle Theatre's production of Annie will be May 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. with matinees May 10 and 11 at 3 p.m. The play is sponsored by USC Salkehatchie. Make reservations by calling the theatre at (803) 259-7046 and leaving a message or going to Evelyn's in downtown Barnwell.

Confederate Memorial DayThe S.C. 17th Regiment of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Camp 2069, will sponsor a Confederate Memorial Day celebration Saturday, May 10, at 5 p.m. at the Confederate Memorial at Calhoun Park (in front of Courthouse) in Barnwell. There will be speakers, singing, bell ringing for Confederate ancestors, re-enactors and musket salutes.

Ribbon CuttingA ribbon cutting ceremony for the Lower Savannah River Alliance Educational Greenway will be held Friday, May 16, at 11:30 a.m. at the second parking lot located at 12049 Burton's Ferry Highway, Allendale. Rudy Mancke will lead a guided trail walk from 9 to 11 a.m. A casual lunch will be served following the ribbon cutting.

Blackville Music/Art FestivalThe Blackville Music & Art Festival Committee presents its 3rd Annual Music & Art Festival on May 16-17 starting at 4 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday. They hope to make the event bigger and better and invite vendors, performers and others to take part. For information on how to be a vendor, performer, display your art, car and bike show, parade, barbeque cook-off, donations, and to be a sponsor email us at blackvillemusicandartfestival@gmail.com or visit our webpage bmafestival.com.

Family Fishing ClinicThe Department of Natural Resources will hold a Family Fishing Clinic Saturday, May 17, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. The clinic is designed to introduce families to the basics of fishing. Come learn how to tie fishing knots, rig rods, cast fish and more. Pre-registration is required and the class is limited to 25 participants ages 4 and up.The clinic is free. All equipment is provided.Call (803) 737-8483. Email aquaticed@dnr.sc.gov or visit www.dnr.sc.gov/aquaticed to register.

Farmers MarketsBarnwell: The Fuller Park Farmers Market will be opening for the season on Tuesday, May 27. The market is open to local artisans and crafters this year and we encourage those in the area to participate in the market. They are accepting vendor applications for the 2014 season. For more information, contact Michael Shumaker with the City of Barnwell Parks and Recreation Department at 803-259-3317.Elko: The Elko Farmers' Market is seeking vendors for its 2014 season, including farmers and gardeners with cool weather crops, early spring produce like salad greens, broccoli, cabbage, beets, garden peas, spinach and other greens. Berries and bedding plants are also good sellers in the spring and early summer. Crafters and bakers are also welcome.Opening day is Saturday, May 17, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and every Saturday until mid-fall, at the corner of Hwy. 78 in Elko. WIC vouchers and senior checks are also accepted.For more information call (803) 266-2463 or (803) 300-1251.

Character CampThe Barnwell County Sheriff's Office will host a character camp this summer for rising 6th, 7th and 8th graders. "BE SMART" is a week long camp from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. that will be held in Barnwell, Blackville and Williston. During the camp, students will learn from agencies such as SRS Ecology Lab, DNR, Barnwell Fire Dept., SCHP, Axis 1 and many more. "BE SMART" camp will educate students on safety and character. The camp is free.Registration forms are available from the schools or sheriff's office.

Pro-RodeoThe Barnwell County Career Center FFA Pro-Rodeo will be May 9-10 at 8 p.m. at (703 Red Oak Road, approximately two miles from Walmart. It includes bull riding, barrel racing, and team roping events, plus a mechanical bull to try your hand at. Adult admission is $12, $10 for students, and kids 6 and under are free. Proceeds to benefit agricultural leadership opportunities for Barnwell County's youth.

Team Zeta Golf TournamentThe 5th Annual Team Zeta Golf Tournament will be Saturday, May 17, at Sweetwater Country Club in Barnwell to honor the life of Zeta Brabham and continue to mission of helping other special needs families. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. The cost is $300 per team, though registration is limited to 25 teams. Hole ($50) and event ($250) sponsorships are also available. For more information, contact Jennifer Henzler at (803) 606-5398 or jenchenzler@aol.com or Matthew Connelly at (803) 300-0984 or ulmersc@gmail.com.

Community Run/WalkThe 9th Annual 1st Lady Community Run/Walk Health Awareness Initiative is May 17 at Fuller Park in Barnwell. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with the walk beginning at 8:30. The purpose is to raise health awareness/provide scholarship money to deserving college students and/or to existing non-profit charitable foundations or families in health crisis. Individuals and teams can participate. This year's walk is in memory of Sis. Catherine Wright Priester. For more information, call Rosemary Baptist Church at (803) 259-9274 between 3:30 - 6 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Watermelon Festival PageantThe 72nd Hampton County "Natural" Watermelon Festival Pageant will be held on May 17 at the Varnville Recreation Center (361 Pine Street, Varnville). Deadline is May 10.For more information, contact Melissa Bonnette at (803) 259-1317 or Jeanette Knight at (803) 671-3570. Email: whowantsthecrown@yahoo.com.

Wine Tasting/AuctionThe Rotary Club of Barnwell County's 4th annual Wine Tasting and Silent Auction will be Thursday, May 22, at the El Bab Shrine Club in Barnwell. Social time will be from 6:30 to 7 p.m. with wine tasting at 7 p.m. Opportunities will be available to order wines. Fundraiser supports the club's community service projects. Tickets available from any Rotary member or by calling Lynn Cox at (803) 300-2083.

Jailbreak 5K Run/WalkThe Lexington County Sheriff's Foundation invites you to join us for a morning of fun and competition at the 8th Annual Jailbreak 5K Run & Walk on Saturday, May 24, at the Lexington County Sheriff's Department (521 Gibson Rd., Lexington). Packet pick up and late registration begins at 6:15 a.m. with the race starting at 8 a.m.The entry fee is $25 prior to race day or $30 on race day. It benefits the foundation which purchases equipment, materials, training, and supplies for the department when not otherwise provided for in the department's annual budget. The foundation is a 501(c) 3 organization.For more information or directions, call (803) 785-8230. Register online at www.strictlyrunning.com.

Salk Golf TournamentThe USC Salkehatchie Athletic Scholarship Golf Tournament will be Friday, May 30, at 9 a.m. at Sweetwater Country Club in Barnwell. It will be a four-man captain's choice style and costs $50 per player. There will also be food, beverages, goodie bags and a silent auction. For more information, contact Marian Easterlin at (803) 584-3446, ext. 148.

D45 Title 1 MeetingBarnwell District 45's Title I planning meeting for Barnwell Elementary will be held at the school's media center on Tuesday, May 13 at 6 p.m. The purpose of a Title I school-wide program is to upgrade the entire educational program in school in order to improve academic achievement so that all students, particularly the lowest-achieving students, demonstrate proficiency of the state's academic standards. Public input is encouraged and residents are invited to serve on the planning team.

KEES RegistrationRegistration for 5-year-old Kindergarten at Kelly Edwards Elementary School will be held until Monday, May 19 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. daily. Children must be five years old on or before Sept. 1, 2014. The following items are required for registration: South Carolina Immunization Records, Official Birth Certificate, 2 Required Proof of Residency: 1 must be a Current Tax Notice or Lease/Mortgage Agreement and the other can be any proof that shows a physical address such as but not limited to the following: Current electric bill, water bill, satellite/cable bill, automobile tax, automobile registration card. For registration questions, call (803) 266-3737.

Barnwell Academy RegistrationBarnwell Academy is now accepting applications for the 2014-2015 school year for Preschool-6th grade. Application fees will be waived for all those who apply before May 1. Barnwell Academy is a faith-based, SCISA accredited Christian school now located on Ellenton Street. Please call (803) 259-4465 or visit www.barnwellacademy.org for more information or to get an application.Jefferson Davis AcademyJefferson Davis Academy is now accepting applications for 2014-145 school year. Grade levels for enrollment are 3K - 12th grades. They also offer an afterschool care program from 2 to 6 p.m. for a very nominal fee.For more information, please contact the Heads of School at (803) 284-2476.

­­Barnwell Library Book Sale: During the month of May, the library is having a half price sale on all of our nonfiction items in their "Friends of the Library Book" sale. National Mental Health Month: An informative display will be set up all during May to promote National Mental Health Awareness Month.Summer reading: Registration for the summer reading program begins May 22 Preschool to 2nd Grade Storytime: Thursdays at 11 a.m.Friday Family Movie: Fridays at 3:30 p.m.May 9 - "Epic"LEGO Club: Third Wednesday (May 21 from 4-5 p.m.)Call (803) 259-3612 for more information.

Williston LibraryPreschool Storytime: Second and fourth Thursdays (May 15) at 11:30 a.m.Call Jo Crider at (803) 266-3027 for more information.

Tea Party PatriotsThe Barnwell County Tea Party Patriots will meet May 8 at 7 p.m. at the Common Grounds Coffee House (1458 Jackson Street, Barnwell). Come early to eat from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Guest speaker will be Eddie McCain, who is running for U.S. Congress,

Retired EducatorsThe Barnwell County Retired Educator Meeting will be Wednesday, May 21, at 10 a.m. at the Barnwell County Library (40 Burr St., Barnwell). All retired teachers and staff from Barnwell, Blackville and Williston schools are invited to attend.For additional information, call Jerry Bell at (803) 300-1972 or email lgbell@mindspring.com.

Voorhees Alumni ChapterThe Alumni Chapter of Voorhees College and High School will have its monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 13 (second Tuesday of each month) at the St. James Building on the Campus of Voorhees College at 6 p.m. Call Eartha Hammond for additional information at (803) 780-1021.

Softball TournamentBlackville First Baptist Church will host a co-ed softball tournament on Saturday, May 17, at Maloney Field in Blackville starting at 8:30. The cost is $200 per team and the team should consist of seven men and three ladies. There will also be a homerun derby. The cost of entering the derby is $10 per participant. All proceeds will be used toward a mission trip to Brazil this July. If interested in participating, contact Matt Lightsey at (803) 300-9755 or the church office at (803) 284-2461.

BHS Class of 74Barnwell High School Class of 1974 will hold its 40-year reunion on Saturday, May 10, at 7 p.m. at Sweetwater Country Club. Everyone is invited. Tickets purchased by April 25 are $25 per person. Send checks to J. Martin Harvey, P.O. Box 1005, Barnwell, SC, 29812. Former faculty are invited free of charge. For more information, call Ricky Black at (803) 259-7474 or Ellen McCall at (803) 259-7066.